Voila! Bastille Day Stripes - and Pikelets!

I learnt something at my daughter's playgroup today. It's Bastille Day! Well actually, that fact had been tucked away in the recesses of my mind, but the French seem to be lying low after the World Cup *supressed snigger* so it didn't click. At playgroup, we made pikelets, as pancakes - or crepes - would be quite difficult with 25 four year olds clamoring for a turn. Tonight we whipped up a batch for dessert, just to keep the spirit of the day going. And no, we're not really French at all, but only a small % of the population have Irish blood, yet St Paddy's day is practically a national holiday all the same. Why not celebreate other culture's holidays? It'd almost be un-Australian not to take the chance for a bit of a shinding!

Of course, nothing says French more than stripes (beret, bicycle and baguette optional). Fittingly, this French Connection Stripe Top ($49.95) is just the ticket, preferably with ballet flats and a chic silk scarf tied at the neck.

And, if you're not willing to tackle pancakes (or have little mouths who are intent on 'helping'), here's the super easy pikelet recipe which is an absolute winner, and open to loads of variations. You can't go wrong! (I didn't, and that's saying something):

Ingredients

1 cup (150g) self-raising flour
1 tbs caster sugar
3/4 cup (185ml) milk
1 egg
Melted butter, to brush, plus extra knobs to serve

Method
Sift flour and sugar together into a bowl with a pinch of salt.


Whisk milk and egg together, then add to dry ingredients, whisking until smooth.

Heat a non-stick frypan over medium heat and brush with a little melted butter. Drop level tablespoonfuls of the mixture into the pan and cook for half a minute or until bubbles appear on the surface.

Turn over and cook other side for 1 minute until golden.